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Simon & Vanessa
Simon and Vanessa’s ceremony was held on an absolute scorcher of a day at a stunning spot in Methven!
METHVEN WEDDING
19 FEBRUARY 2021 - AWA AWA RATA RESERVE, METHVEN
Simon and Vanessa’s ceremony was held on an absolute scorcher of a day at a stunning spot in Methven! They had an epic team of vendors on board - I’ve linked them below so that you can check them out.
Simon and Vanessa's relationship began on a Facebook ‘singles’ page. After a few days chatting, Vanessa decided to take Simon some lunch. They met on the side of the road near where he was working in Waipara... As Vanessa says, "A way to a man's heart is through his stomach!” - One dinner later, they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend, and the rest is history.
Before the ceremony started, Simon was extremely emotional. He is head over heels for Vanessa and couldn’t believe their wedding day had finally arrived. Best Man, Nick, was a great support - taking Simon to one side and having a chat with him in the shade before the bridal party made their entrance. I was touched by their strong friendship. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Vanessa made her way down the aisle!
A wedding day is often a day when couples miss those who can’t be with them. We acknowledged Des, Simon’s groomsman and Vanessa's brother, who couldn’t make it due to Covid travel restrictions. Vanessa’s Aunty Joy also lit a candle in remembrance of Vanessa’s Dad, Ian.
A great way to include loved ones is through readings. Simon’s gorgeous wee cousin shared ‘Love is Giving’ with us.
“Love is giving not taking,
Mending not breaking,
Trusting, believing, never deceiving, patiently bearing and faithfully sharing,
Each joy, every sorrow, today and tomorrow.
Love is kind, understanding, but never demanding,
Love is constant, prevailing, its strength never failing,
A promise once spoken for all time unbroken,
Love’s time is forever.”
Simon and Vanessa chose to write their own vows which they shared with each other for the very first time during their ceremony.
“…You are beautiful, smart and strong, and I will love you every day for the rest of our lives together...”
“…My heart still skips a beat when I get that phone call - that you are on your way home from work. I love you today, tomorrow and for the rest of my life…”
Afterwards, the guests had nibbles and drinks together then made their way to Ski Time for a wonderful evening of yummy food, speeches and dancing.
All the best to this loved-up couple! xx
AROHA NUI,
Vic xxx
Catering - Smoke ‘n’ Barrel
DJ - Boogie Beats
Photographer - Focus Photography
Videographer - Frame Boy
Andrew & Jess
Self-professed ‘Star Wars Nerds’ Andrew and Jess were married on a hot, windy day at Westhaven Gardens, after postponing their ceremony due to Covid earlier in the year.
COVID CAN’T BEAT LOVE!
31 OCTOBER 2020 - WESTHAVEN GARDENS, CHRISTCHURCH
Self-professed ‘Star Wars Nerds’ Andrew and Jess were married on a hot, windy day at Westhaven Gardens, after postponing their ceremony due to Covid earlier in the year.
The venue was simply stunning! I was blown away by the manicured gardens, lush green lawns and intimate wee chapel. Andrew and Jess set up a marquee for the reception, as well. There were plenty of trees for shade before the ceremony, and a variety of lawn games for entertainment afterwards.
Andrew set up a live stream for guests who were unable to attend due to Covid restrictions, and Emma Smart did an amazing job of capturing the day. I thought that Jess’ veil looked stunning as it floated in the breeze.
Both Mums were invited to share a reading, which was a really nice way of involving them in the ceremony. There were lots of happy tears, especially when Andrew and Jess shared their vows with each other.
“…I promise to love you with all I have to give and all that I am, completely and forever.”
“…I can’t wait to continue to make a life with you and have many adventures. With you by my side, I know we can get through anything.”
Something particularly special for me was feeling my baby fluttering while we were signing the paperwork. It was a magical experience and I am so grateful that this Little Bean has been surrounded by love and happiness as it grows.
All the best for married life, Andrew and Jess!
AROHA NUI,
Vic xxx
Photographer - Emma Smart
New Zealand Marriage Celebrants
Learning a little bit more about Marriage Celebrants…
Only those persons appointed by the Registrar-General as Marriage Celebrants and whose name appears in the List of Celebrants in the New Zealand Gazette have authority to solemnise marriages in New Zealand. I was excited to become registered as an Independent Marriage Celebrant on 5th June 2019 and later, to join the Celebrants Association of New Zealand (CANZ).
Why should you book a CANZ member as your Marriage Celebrant?
CANZ members create and facilitate ceremonies and rituals which respond to the diverse needs and values of New Zealand individuals, families and communities. In engaging a CANZ celebrant, you are gaining the assurance of employing a celebrant who belongs to the national professional body, a celebrant who has passed the association’s Code of Ethics and Professional Standards test, and a person who, more often than not, is committed to ongoing professional development with a strong network of fellow celebrants to call on if needed.
So, what is VCANZ?
CANZ has introduced a celebrant validation process known as VCANZ, which is a structured recognition of celebrant training, experience and professional development based on the CANZ body of knowledge. This gives couples additional certainty and greater comfort that a CANZ celebrant meets the professional standards of competency required for celebrant work. Also, only validated celebrants can legally perform Registry Ceremonies, no longer held at Births, Deaths and Marriages offices. I received my VCANZ status on 3rd June 2020 (and I cried LITERAL TEARS of joy!!!).
Why are Registry Ceremonies being held in the community?
Vaughan Millar (Senior Advisor at Services and Access - The Department of Internal Affairs) tells us more through a short history about the concept of validated CANZ celebrants performing registry ceremonies.
Like most change these days, it started with the Internet. In this case, marriage licence applications could be completed fully online from October 2018, which resulted in less walk-ins to a public counter. Other than signing declarations, the only other major work for the 47 registry offices was performing registry office marriages. With 10,000 appointed marriage celebrants, it made sense to give couples more options and a better customer experience by making better use of this pool of talent. It also provided an opportunity for more work for celebrants. Over the following 12 months the groundwork began to enable the outsourcing of registry weddings to celebrants in the community.
On 1 July 2019, the registry celebrant service was launched with 59 celebrants signed up in areas outside the centres where BDM had large offices – Christchurch, Wellington, Manukau and Auckland. The next step was taking advantage of the Wellington BDM office move early in 2020. The last day registry wedding ceremonies were held at the Wellington counter was on Friday, 31 January 2020 and on 1 February 2020, that work was handed over to VCANZ celebrants. The plan was to move registry office ceremonies in Christchurch, Manukau and Auckland to validated CANZ members on 1 December 2020 – similar to the process that had been successfully executed in Wellington. However, due to Covid19, this date was brought forward to early March 2020.
As of 12 May 2020, there are 129 registry celebrants spread across the length of New Zealand - BDM are out of the business of performing registry marriages, now sitting entirely with celebrants (including yours truly!).
What does this mean for YOU?
A celebrant is a deeply personal choice - someone who can connect with you and capture the essence of your true self. Their role is to share your story, encompassing your values and beliefs in a way that reflects your relationship. One of the most significant moments of my own wedding ceremony was when our celebrant, Sally, blessed us in te reo, grounding and connecting us to a particular place and time. For you, it may be a reading or a song, maybe a funny anecdote - your ceremony should be uniquely yours. In ten or twenty years time, you may not remember the exact words, but you will remember the way they made you feel. As a validated member of CANZ, and a lover of people and their stories, I am committed to creating something beautiful with you xx
AROHA NUI,
Vic xxx
*Please note: You can find out more about the different ceremonies I provide here.